The mission of the Instructor Development Unit (IDU) is to provide Department instructors with the knowledge and skill to deliver effective classroom instruction; to certify Department trainers as General Topics Instructors through the NYS Municipal Police Training Council (MPTC); and to serve as a training resource on matters pertaining to lesson planning, public speaking, communication, and training aids. Staffed with MPTC certified Master Instructors that are experts in the area of lesson planning, curriculum development, and training methodology, IDU is an invaluable training resource to all Department training units.

Courses offered by IDU, along with course prerequisites are as follows:

Methods of Instruction (MOI): This eleven day (77 hour) course for Department instructors is certified by the Municipal Police Training Council. MOI is designed to provide students with the ability to research, prepare, and communicate knowledge in the field of law enforcement. Lessons focus on setting instructional objectives, factors that influence adult learning, communication skills, the instructional process, and methods of evaluation. Each student is assigned a member of IDU staff as a mentor. Mentors assist, guide, assess, and critique assigned student(s). Upon successful completion, students receive New York State certification as General Topics Instructors, and receive three recommended undergraduate college credits from the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS). Prerequisite: This course is offered to uniformed and civilian members of the Department. Prospective students must be working in a training capacity and have a working knowledge of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint to be eligible for this course.

Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI): This three day (21 hour) course is presented by members from the Instructor Development Unit. An abbreviated version of the Methods of Instruction course, instructors focus on enhancing public speaking, presentation, and communication skills. This course is offered to uniformed and civilian members of the service.Prerequisite: None

Instructor Evaluator Workshop: This four hour course is certified by the Municipal Police Training Council (MPTC). This interactive workshop is designed to provide experienced Department instructors with the skills necessary to conduct periodic evaluations of other instructors as mandated by MPTC. Upon completion, the student will receive New York State certification as an Instructor Evaluator. Prerequisite: Offered to veteran Department instructors who have successfully completed the Methods of Instruction course, have been certified as a General Topics Instructor for at least three years, and have been recommended by their supervisors.

Lesson Plan Writing Workshop: This one day course instructs students on the proper preparation of a lesson plan that will conform to Training Bureau standards. Content, organization, and proper formatting are stressed, with the student ultimately demonstrating proficiency by producing a lesson plan as part of the interactive workshop.Prerequisite: Prospective students must be working in a training capacity and have a working knowledge of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint to attend this course.

Methods of Instruction Refresher: This four (4) hour course provides participants with a review of instructional concepts learned in the eleven (11) day Methods of Instruction course such as public speaking, communication, icebreakers, instructional strategies, and psychology of learning.Prerequisite: Offered to Department personnel that are MPTC certified General Topics Instructors.